AbstractThe optical emission spectra between 190 and 680 nm of 8 keV O 2+·and CO 2+·collisions with He and N2target gases were obtained and analyzed on a modified commercial VG ZAB‐2F mass spectrometer. Emissions observed were from O, O+, He, N 2+·(B2∑+u→X2∑+g) and N2(C3∏u→ B3∏g) in the case of O 2+·projectiles and C, CO 2+·(B2∑+u,A2∏u→X2∏g), CO+·(B2∑+→X2∑+), N 2+·(B2∑+g→X2∑g) and N2(C3∏u→B3∏g) in the case of CO 2+·projectiles. The results are discussed in relation to previous reports on N 2+·–target collisions and the collision–i